Senator Murray Applauds Biden Administration’s Move to Protect LGBTQIA+ Students from Discrimination

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), released the following statement on the Department of Education’s announcement that LGBTQIA+ students will be protected against discrimination under Title IX. The Department issued guidance stating that their enforcement of Title IX’s longstanding prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sex will include discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

This guidance is based on the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which said that it is impossible to discriminate against a person based on their sexual orientation or gender identity without discriminating against that person based on sex.  

“Every single student deserves to learn in a safe environment, free from discrimination and harassment—regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, but sadly, for far too many LGBTQIA+ students, that's not the case. That's why I'm so relieved to finally have an Administration that will protect all students’ rights and fight for equity and justice. This announcement is a huge victory for so many students and families across the country—but this is just step one. With so many Republican politicians still attacking transgender students' rights, I’ll keep fighting to protect LGBTQIA+ students across the country and ensure they have equal opportunity to learn, grow, play and thrive at school, free from discrimination.”

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